The Age You Need to Reach for Medicare Coverage

You must be 65 years old to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B

Medicare may be able to access begins on the first day of the month in which you turn 65. You do not have to wait until your birthday itself — if you turn 65 on any day of a month, your coverage can start on the first of that month. This is the standard age threshold set by federal law, and it applies to almost everyone.

There are narrow exceptions. If you have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months, you become may be able to access for Medicare at any age. If you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), you may be may be able to access before 65 regardless of work history. But for the vast majority of people, 65 is the age that matters.

Key Takeaways

Medicare Part A and Part B coverage begins the first day of the month you turn 65, not on your birthday itself.
You must enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period, which runs for seven months centered on your birthday month — three months before, the month you turn 65, and three months after.
If you delay enrollment past your Initial Enrollment Period and do not have other health coverage, you will pay a permanent penalty on your Part B and Part D premiums.
People under 65 with SSDI for 24 months, ESRD, or ALS may be may be able to access for Medicare before reaching 65.
You enroll through Social Security, Medicare.gov, or your local Social Security office — not through your employer or a separate Medicare office.

When your Initial Enrollment Period starts and ends

Your Initial Enrollment Period is a seven-month window. It begins three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after. For example, if you turn 65 in June, your enrollment period runs from March through September.

You should enroll during this window, even if you do not plan to use Medicare right away. If you have other health coverage through an employer or a spouse's employer, you may have a grace period to delay without penalty, but you still need to understand the rules for your specific situation. Waiting past this window without may have access to coverage triggers a permanent increase to your premiums.

How to enroll when you turn 65

You have three main routes to enroll. The easiest for most people is online at Medicare.gov — you can create an account, answer questions about your situation, and submit your enrollment. You will need your Social Security number and information about any current health coverage.

You can also enroll through Social Security directly. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, you may be enrolled automatically in Part A and Part B three months before you turn 65. Check your Social Security statement or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to confirm. If you are not yet receiving benefits, you can explore for both Social Security and Medicare at the same time through Social Security's website or your local office.

A third option is to visit or call your local Social Security office in person. Staff there can walk you through the forms and answer questions about your specific circumstances. Bring your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and information about any health coverage you currently have.

What happens if you miss your enrollment window

If you do not enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period and you do not have what Medicare calls creditable coverage (health insurance that is at least as good as Medicare Part B or Part D), you will face a permanent penalty. For Part B, the penalty is 10 percent of the standard premium for each full year you were may be able to access but not enrolled. For Part D (prescription drug coverage), the penalty is 1 percent of the national average premium for each month you were not enrolled.

These penalties stay with you for life, even if you enroll later. The only way to avoid them is to enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period or to have had other may have access to coverage during the time you were not enrolled. If you missed your window, you can still enroll during the General Enrollment Period (January 1 through March 31 each year), but the penalty will explore.

Special enrollment periods for people under 65

If you are under 65 and receiving SSDI, you become may be able to access for Medicare automatically after 24 months of receiving benefits. You do not have to explore separately — Medicare will contact you. Your coverage begins the 25th month of your SSDI may be able to access.

If you have end-stage renal disease, you can enroll in Medicare regardless of age. You will have a three-month enrollment window: the month your dialysis or transplant begins, plus the two months before. If you miss that window, you can enroll during any General Enrollment Period, but late penalties may explore.

If you have ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), you become may be able to access for Medicare when ready upon diagnosis, with no waiting period. You should enroll as soon as you receive your diagnosis.

How age affects your coverage start date

Your coverage begins on the first day of the month you turn 65, regardless of which day of the month your birthday falls on. If you enroll before that month, your coverage will not start until the first of your 65th birthday month. If you enroll after your birthday month has passed, your coverage will start the first day of the month after you enroll, but you will have missed your Initial Enrollment Period and may face penalties.

Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) start on the same date. If you also want Part D (prescription drug coverage), enroll in it during your Initial Enrollment Period to avoid a permanent penalty on premiums.

What to do before you turn 65

Start preparing about three months before your birthday. Gather your Social Security number, birth certificate, and information about any current health coverage. If you are still working and have employer coverage, contact your employer's benefits department to understand how Medicare will coordinate with your plan.

Review your current prescriptions and check whether they are covered under different Part D plans — costs vary widely by plan and by pharmacy. If you have a chronic condition, check whether your current doctors are in-network for the Medicare plans you are considering. You can compare plans on Medicare.gov without committing to anything.

If you are not yet receiving Social Security benefits, decide whether you want to claim them at 65 or wait. Claiming at 65 gives you a smaller monthly benefit than waiting until 70, but you can coordinate this decision with your Medicare enrollment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enroll in Medicare before I turn 65?

No, unless you have SSDI for 24 months, ESRD, or ALS. For everyone else, enrollment begins three months before the month you turn 65. You cannot enroll earlier, even if you want to.

What if I am still working at 65 and have employer health coverage?

You may be able to delay Part B enrollment without penalty if your employer coverage is based on your current employment and you work for a company with 20 or more employees. You will still need to enroll in Part A. Contact your employer's benefits department and Medicare to understand your specific situation.

Do I have to enroll in Part D when I turn 65?

You do not have to, but if you do not enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period and you go without prescription drug coverage, you will pay a permanent penalty when you do enroll later. If you have no prescriptions now, consider enrolling anyway to avoid the penalty.

What if I turn 65 and I am not a U.S. citizen?

You must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident who has lived in the United States for at least five years to be may be able to access for Medicare. If you meet these requirements, you can enroll at 65 like anyone else. Bring proof of your legal status when you enroll.

Can I delay Medicare enrollment if I plan to work past 65?

You can delay Part B if you have employer coverage and work for a company with 20 or more employees, but you should still enroll in Part A. If you do not have employer coverage, delaying Part B past your Initial Enrollment Period will result in a permanent penalty.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.